the xyz affair outraged many americans. what was president john adams initial stance on how to handle the issue

President John Adams initially took a cautious and diplomatic approach regarding the XYZ Affair, which involved a confrontation between the United States and France in the late 1790s. When news of the affair broke, which involved French agents demanding bribes from American diplomats, many Americans were calling for war against France.

Adams, however, believed in maintaining peace and sought to resolve the situation through diplomacy rather than military engagement. He emphasized the importance of a strong national conscience and was wary of the potential costs and consequences of a war. His decision to pursue negotiations instead of outright military action ultimately helped to avoid a full-scale conflict, even though it was politically unpopular at the time. Adams's stance demonstrated his commitment to the principle of avoiding war and maintaining diplomatic relations.

-Adams asked Congress for a vote to declare war on france
-adams sent diplomats to negotiate with france
-adams wanted to declare war, but resisted due to political pressures
-adams wanted to stay out of European affairs

In relation to the XYZ Affair, President John Adams's actions and stances can be summarized as follows:

1. Adams sent diplomats to negotiate with France: This is the most accurate depiction of his approach. After the outrage from the XYZ Affair and growing calls for war among the American public and political leaders, Adams opted to send diplomats to France in an attempt to resolve the situation through negotiation rather than military action. This demonstrated his commitment to diplomacy.

2. Adams wanted to declare war, but resisted due to political pressures: While some members of his party and the public were pushing for war, Adams himself was hesitant about a military conflict with France. He recognized the risks involved and preferred a diplomatic solution, even in the face of significant pressure to engage in war.

3. Adams wanted to stay out of European affairs: This was indeed part of his overall philosophy. Adams believed in the importance of avoiding entanglement in European conflicts and promoting peace. His administration focused on maintaining American independence and avoiding the pitfalls of foreign alliances.

The option that is incorrect or less aligned with his actions is that Adams asked Congress for a vote to declare war on France. He never formally requested Congress to declare war; rather, he sought to maintain peace through diplomatic channels.